Overview
We regularly review the Neurodevelopmental Pathway, which supports children, young people and families in Somerset with autism and ADHD.
We work with people across Somerset to make sure any changes are made together and reflect everyone’s needs.
Key changes
The Pre-assessment Pathway for Autism and ADHD started in July 2021 after joint work between education, health and care. Some of the main changes are:
- Any professional involved with a child or young person can request an assessment if there is evidence to support it.
- The Next Steps form gathers the evidence needed for an assessment request.
- Education settings link assessment requests to the graduated response (as described in the SEND Code of Practice).
- Families who home educate can get help from Somerset Parent Carer Forum to complete the Next Steps process.
- SENDIAS can help when families and schools disagree about whether an assessment should be requested.
- A multi-disciplinary triage (MDT) team looks at all requests to make sure the right children are assessed.
- A pre-assessment email address was set up for professionals to ask questions, get advice or consultations.
- A Telephone Advice Line gives families and professionals tips, strategies and signposts to more help. Opening hours have been extended.
- A half-termly Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) discussion group offers training, support and case discussions.
- A myth busting page helps parents and professionals understand assessments and diagnosis.
- Online and face-to-face WISE Up Workshops are available for parents, based on feedback.
Impact
Feedback shows the pathway is helpful and valued:
- SENCO s who feel they are supported by their senior leadership in their schools and have the time needed to carry out their role as a SENCO , have welcomed the pre-assessment pathway. They agree it fits with their role in carrying out a graduated response for children and young people seen as having Special Educational Needs (SEN). As one SENCO remarked, ‘We have been given a gift…’ There is no longer the need to work through the GP and wonder whether the GP has included the school information shared with them as evidence for a referral for an assessment.
- A MDT team makes sure assessments go to the right children and signposts others to support.
- The Next Steps form gives much better information than before.
- Support like the advice email and SENCO groups is rated highly by those who use them.
